04 Mar Pain Management Doctors – Solutions for Arm Pain
Chronic arm pain can be caused by a number of things. In all cases, it can reduce the quality of life for the person struggling with the pain. There are a number of solutions that may help someone struggling with arm pain. We will discuss these options in this article.
Causes of Arm Pain
There are lots of different causes of arm pain. The cause of your pain will help you determine what sort of treatment you should look for.
- Arm pain can be caused by mechanical damage (breaks and fractures)
- Nerve damage or compression can cause arm pain
- Damage to the upper spine can lead to arm pain
If you’re not sure what is causing your arm pain, be sure to connect with Illinois pain management doctors.
Arm Pain Treatments
Here are a few examples of treatments that you can use to help with arm pain.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections, also known as epidural injections, are a minimally invasive treatment that allows for the injection of medication directly into the epidural space, a region surrounding the spine itself.
The function of an epidural injection is to help counteract nerve damage, fight inflammation, and reduce pain.
Nerve Blocks
A nerve block is a treatment that helps to prevent your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. During these treatments, Illinois pain management doctors will use tools to identify the source of the pain and then inject the medication.
Generally, the doctors will use some sort of numbing agent or a neurolytic agent. They may use both in combination, firstly to numb the injection site and secondly to deactivate the nerve. In either case, the result is decreased signal transmission which will help to reduce pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is among the most common treatments for pain of all types. The purpose of this therapy is to help restore strength and mobility to the injured area. Over time, this can help to reduce pain.
Medication Therapy
Pain doctors may also prescribe you medication to help with the pain. Generally, medications are not intended for long-term use. They may be an effective aid while you are practicing physical therapy or while you’re waiting for an appointment to receive a nerve block or epidural injection.
In most cases, doctors are more likely to recommend non-narcotic medication that can be purchased over-the-counter. However, if the pain is severe or debilitating they may recommend other types of medication.
Care Tips
Before and after your treatment you should also take care of yourself. This may mean:
- Getting ample rest and not over-exerting your arm
- Using ice to cool the area
- Using a compression bandage to fight pain
- Elevating the arm to reduce blood flow
Conclusion
Arm pain occurs for many reasons. Fortunately, there are also many treatments for it. Chicago pain management doctors will help you decide on the best treatment for your injury. If you’re concerned or curious, don’t hesitate to reach out to a nearby clinic.